Costa Blanca

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Javea Travel Guide

Reflecting the tranquil ambience of Valencia coupled with the
sun-and-fun atmosphere of Spain's popular Costa Blanca coast, Javea
is a pretty holiday resort town set between the capes of San
Antonio and La Nao, about 50 miles (80km) northeast of Alicante.
Fronted by the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and backed by the
conical Mount Montgo, the narrow streets of the historic town
centre are filled with wrought iron balconies and stone porticoes,
while the surrounding developments have been carefully controlled
to ensure no high-rise modern concrete buildings impose on the
serenity of the landscape.

The old town is situated a mile or so inland because its
inhabitants feared the incursions of pirates in days of yore. The
waterfront of Javea centres around the working fishing port of
Aduanas de Mar and the adjacent busy marina. The promenade is lined
with good seafood restaurants, boutiques and pavement cafes. The
most popular beach, Arenal, is a long, sandy stretch with safe
bathing, and it is just one of the many sandy bays and coves to be
enjoyed along the coastline.

Several times a year Javea lets its hair down with a lively
fiesta. The best known, and most enjoyed by visitors, is the 'Moors
and Christians' celebration, when locals re-enact the Moorish
landings on the coast and the recapture of the peninsula by
Christian defenders. During the second half of July the town is
enveloped in an orgy of feasting, street parades, dancing, music
and fireworks.

The port area offers some interesting boutique shopping
opportunities for holidaymakers, while along Arenal Beach
holidaymakers are well catered for with kiosks and shops selling
all the trappings from sunscreen to souvenirs. In Javea's old town
there is a daily indoor covered market, mostly stocking fresh
produce, and on Thursdays the weekly outdoor market on the Place de
la Constitution is an entertaining experience, with street
performers spicing up the variety of wares on offer on hundreds of
stalls. Browse for all manner of things from fresh fish to leather
sandals, toys and juicy Valencia oranges and 'churros' (similar to
donuts). The sprawling suburban area around Javea, which connects
to other resorts along the Costa Blanca, is well supplied with
shopping malls and modern supermarkets. Smaller shops tend to close
for siesta from around 2pm to 5pm, but stay open late in the
evenings. Larger chain stores and supermarkets remain open all day
until late at night.

The holiday destination of Javea offers some fantastic eateries
including Karma Lounge Restaurant, Pizzeria Pepa, Restaurante
Masena and La Boheme. The port area of Javea is a popular dining
spot, with a host of restaurants offering a variety of cuisines
situated along the waterfront, where it is possible to enjoy
anything from pizza to paella with a view of the harbour or beach.
The old town is less well supplied with restaurants, but those that
do inhabit its narrow streets are cheaper than the more touristy
areas. The area fronting Arenal Beach is where most tourists
congregate to dine out, and the choice is vast, ranging from Burger
King to Chinese food. The majority of establishments cater for all
tastes, offering an international selection on their menus.

Holiday visitors in pursuit of a hectic holiday nightlife may
well be disappointed with Javea, where activity after dark is
limited to the strumming of Spanish guitars in a few restaurants
and bars, or the odd flamenco show, even during the height of the
summer season. A few British bars offer football, pool tables and
sometimes karaoke nights. There are one or two discreet
discotheques open during summer in the Arenal area. For a
rollicking night out visitors will have to travel to the larger,
more frenetic resorts nearby, particularly Benidorm.

A holiday in Javea is mainly about relaxing on the beach or
beside the pool, but there are water sports facilities on Arenal
Beach and at the port, and golf courses in easy reach, including
the Javea Golf Club surrounded by orange and lemon groves. Local
sightseeing includes a few interesting old churches and an
archaeological museum. Visitors can also enjoy walks up the Cabo de
Nao from the harbour, for a breathtaking view of the bay. Families
are advised to hire a car in order to make excursions to the
numerous entertaining theme parks and water parks in the area, most
less than half an hour's drive away.